St Mirren boss Danny Lennon is hoping to get a tune out of French striker Stephane Bahoken at the second time of asking.

The 21-year-old was sent back to Nice in December having failed to make an impact in Paisley after arriving on a season-long loan last August.

Bahoken, capped for the France Under-21 side, was to be loaned back out to Bastia but due to regulation restrictions he could not play for three clubs in one season and consequently returned to the Buddies to complete his loan deal.

He came on as a second-half substitute against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday, although he could do nothing to prevent the home side's 2-0 Scottish Premiership win, thanks to goals from Murray Davidson and Stevie May.

Lennon, though, is looking for Bahoken to make the most of his reprieve.

"I won't go into the ins and outs of why he is back but Nice have insisted and what I will say is that Stephane has a pedigree," he said.

"He has scored goals in the top league in France - which is arguably a better league than the Scottish Premiership - and he has scored for the French Under-21 side, but he didn't quite set the heather on fire when he first came over.

"That could be his age, coming into a new environment, a new league, but what he has done has come back with a hunger, a desire and determination and I thought you saw that in glimpses.

"I never write anyone off. He showed a great desire and that is why he was involved.

"He sees it as an opportunity, he wants to make a contribution.

"I would urge our fans to get behind him when he puts that black and white shirt on because there is certainly a lot more to come from him."

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright watched his side move into the top six with a convincing win, with his highly-rated striker May taking his tally for the campaign to 16 with a wonderful strike.

The Northern Irishman, however, was glad he kept on at midfielder Davidson to break his scoring duck this season with a close-range header.

"I was pleased that he got the goal as I give him stick every week about not scoring," he said.

"We played him further up the pitch to give Stevie some support and he gives us more of a physical pressure when we have to go long".

Davidson, playing in a more advanced role for the first time in weeks, is now looking to add to his long-awaited first goal of the season.

"Last year was my best year with eight goals," said the 25-year-old. "I have been getting a little bit of stick from the gaffer but my excuse is that I have been playing the deeper role in midfield.

"But scoring is something that I look to do. I do enjoy getting into the box to try and get on the end of things.

"That was my first goal so I am looking to go on a little bit of a run."